GLENROCK, Wyo. – Mark Pepper and the staff of the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems are improving the environment with the latest in recycling technology – old tires. The WARWS received 10,000 pounds shredded tire mulch from Kilmer-Waldock Recycled Tires in Lusk, Wyo.
                “We do a lot of work with solid waste because of the potential impact to water quality,” explained Pepper, WARWS Executive Director.
                Those solid waste relationships put the rural water association in contact with Kilmer-Waldock, who also became a WRAWS member. The tire recycling company donated a load of their one-inch mulch, made from spent tires for coal hauler trucks, to generate publicity about the quality and versatility of their product.
                “We’re using it as bedding for some of our landscaping,” Pepper explained.
The WARWS offices have a landscaped planter separating their parking lot from the Glenrock Post Office. The recycled tires make excellent mulch for the landscaping.
                “It has a lot better water retention than regular mulch and is much better at root protection,” Pepper said.
                The recycled mulch has several uses beyond landscaping, including use as filler and as protection for playground equipment. WARWS supplied some of the extra mulch to local school systems for use in their playgrounds. The mulch also has a number of uses specific to rural water.
                “Some of the surrounding communities are planning to weed around their fire hydrants and use the mulch as weed control,” Pepper explained. “It’s also great for laying pipeline. You can use it as bedding in the trenches.”
                “It has a lot uses for water and wastewater. We’re just trying to promote that.”
                So far the donation has been effective in spreading the word. The local newspaper ran a story about the WARWS and their use of the recycled mulch.
                “A lot of people who come by the post office meander over to take a look at it,” Pepper said.

Local Landscaper Joe Perko, foreground, helps Donna Uribe, WARWS Administrative Coordinator, prepare the landscaping for the tire mulch.

Donna Uribe, left, and Darren Kilmer, owner of Kilmer-Waldock Recycled Tires, spread the tire mulch.

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